Puksta Alumni and Scholars we made this exclusive online community for YOU!!! There are over 265 Puksta Alumni all over the world and 65 Puksta Scholars currently working on amazing projects – NOW you all will be able to connect with each other! The opportunities available on this network are endless from jobs, events, mentorship and more. We invested in this online community because we know how much it will benefit all of you!

Video: Puksta Alumni Network – an online community for us to connect. This video will help you navigate the site as well as help you create your profile! This online community is geared toward our Puksta Alumni but is also a great way for our scholars to connect across campuses and find mentorship with alumni around the globe!

*This is only open to Puksta Alumni, Scholars, Coordinators (current and former) and close members of the Puksta Family – we wanted to give you all a safe and secure space to connect!

Sophia’s work is inspired by those very close to her heart. Drawing from her experiences with her brother, she is working to promote sexual education amongst those with developmental and physical disabilities. Discovering these individuals are usually poorly educated on the subject and are often unaware when they’ve been victimized, she’s vowed to continue educating herself on the subject while striving to increase awareness and help empower those whom this often ignored reality afflicts. Your heart has led you to Puksta Sophia and we’ll be there to support your great work. We have big hopes for you and are proud of your efforts!

Artist and Puksta scholar, Mateo is making big plans in the time ahead. Already a proud member of the Denver youth slam poetry team Minor Disturbance “No Bedtime!”, Mateo is planning to flex his artistic muscles by working to bring arts activities back into Denver public schools. Starting with working to create a student writing retreat, he hopes to grow from there and provide artistic avenues particularly for students of color. In addition to providing a means of self-expression, Mateo is thinking of also offering some mentorship assistance for those seeking it. Puksta has your back and is looking forward to seeing you make a difference for so many. Keep up the good work!

Hard work and persistence are nothing new to Jorge. From working with FEMA in the flood-ravaged city of Baton Rouge to assisting with the daily struggles of those who have come to this country to experience “the American dream”, he has repeatedly shown himself a person who is unafraid to get his hands dirty for a good cause. Mindful of the struggles and sacrifices his parents endured to allow him his opportunities, Jorge endeavors to pass their goodwill forward by both participating in public assistance programs and working individually with those who often find a monolingual existence too great an obstacle in achieving their prosperity in America. His efforts will continue past CU Denver as he continues his work as an Immigration Paralegal at Mercy Legal Aid Clinic and assists these populations in achieving computer literacy, particularly in regards to emergency aid response. Your prior good works and great future promise have not gone unnoticed Jorge and Puksta celebrates you!

Guided by the optimistic hopes of her parents, Chelsea was a first-generation student who found her footing in service by addressing issues concerning body positivity within Asian American and Pacific Islander women. Hearing the call of public health and ethnic studies, she worked on a video series intended to help and empower AAPI women while focusing her sights on which graduate path she would pursue. Chelsea, a CU Denver grad, was and continues to be a shining light of pride for both her parents and The Puksta Foundation. There is no boundary to the light you promise to spread upon this world Chelsea and we look forward to the illumination that you will bring to so many in need. Congratulations!

Seeing others achieve their full potential has been a major area of focus for Anarely. Often confronted with seeing the aspirations of the hopefull dashed by injustice, this CU Boulder grad strove to amend these ills through self-discovery and by working within the Created Raices organization. In addition, she worked to eliminate the “lives of fear” of her fellow dreamers by collaborating with groups such as AILA and assisting with legal workshops intended to address many of the concerns that have arisen from the increasingly abrasive interactions that have been occurring between ICE agencies and migrants. With her work and determination, there is a certainty that more will truly realize their full potential. Congratulations Anerely!

Collaboration has been key for this DU grad. In her effort to fight against and raise awareness about sexual assault, she left no path untrodden in her quest. From working with social justice organizations to engaging and working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, Ciera harnessed these experiences and the unique talents of those she collaborated with to focus her energies in creating the Into The Light awareness event. She intends to continue with her work by further enhancing her civic identity and striving to eliminate the darkness of sexual assault from her community. Excellent work Ciera!

Often reflecting upon the numerous obstacles and struggles of her own family’s pursuit of prosperity, Gaby is a CU Boulder grad intent on making healthcare more accessible and more abundant for migrant and undocumented populations within this nation. Working to achieve care access equality, especially within the currently conflictive political environment, she strove to work with individuals as well as non-profits that advocated healthcare education to those who are often barred access or were severely restricted because of their socio-economic and/or citizenship status. Through her undergraduate years, Gaby developed a passion that she intends to bring to many in the years ahead. Wellness is something that the world is so desperately in need of and we are certain that you will offer a great abundance of year energy and experience to help make good health a reality for so many who might otherwise not have. Excellent work and wishes for a most productive and prosperous future Gaby!

University was an awakening for Marika. As her mind expanded, her eyes opened to the injustices and struggles of the world. Embracing her heritage and her identity as a first-generation student, she looked towards assisting others in helping them regain their cultural connections through food. Not only did her work bring home to the table of many estranged from their native lands, increasing awareness of food sources also served a dual purpose in alleviating food insecurity for many. She plans to attend graduate school where she’ll focus on food communication where she intends to further close the distances between nations and perceptions through the kitchen. You have given the Puksta organization a feast of achievements to celebrate Marika and today we offer you praise!

A champion of social justice issues, Tara is determined to assist those negatively impacted by the city’s recent growth and development. Focusing primarily on transportation, this CU Denver Master’s grad worked diligently to advocate for the rights and access of residents in the Globeville/Elyria-Swansea areas while demonstrating Puksta values and encouraging the youth of these areas that an “I can” attitude can have a phenomenally positive impact upon their neighborhoods and their futures. She collaborated with both the Sierra Club and Project VOYCE to create educational videos that addressed the I-70 expansion and heartfully promoted growth programs with compassion. She intends to continue this work and seek additional collaborators and methods of offering a voice to those often driven to the margins of society by the forces of rapid development. Tara, your diverse skills and great efforts are the reason why your work is so impactful and the Puksta family is proud to celebrate you and your achievements. You deserve hearty congratulations for what you have accomplished. Hooray to you!

Andrea has worked for those who have often not known how to advocate for themselves. Spending two years within a police department, she witnessed the struggles of victims of domestic violence and sought ways to educate the public and improve their lives. Through data analysis and by creating The Source Summit event for marginalized high school students, Andrea gave a voice to the silenced and hope for the hopeless. She now works in a position where she can continue her work by engaging both victim advocacy organizations and law enforcement. We wish you success and happiness in your new life Andrea. We are certain that you will make the world a better place for everyone. Congratulations!